The visual effects of 2016 and 2025 differ in quality, naturally. That doesn’t take away from the achievement of the hundreds of artists and technicians who brought both visions to life. In films of this scale, the story often narrows down to one hero—or a handful—trying to save the world. Team effort? Sometimes. But in Shin Godzilla (2016), now reborn in 4K and screening across Canada at Cineplex, the focus is on a nation struggling collectively against a threat far beyond its imagination.
It is 2016. The Japan Coast Guard comes across an abandoned yacht in Tokyo Bay. Soon after, the same boat, along with the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line, is obliterated and flooded in a tide of blood. The government hesitates, torn between dismissing the viral video evidence as a hoax and preparing for the unthinkable. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Rando Yaguchi suspects something worse: a living creature behind the chaos. When Godzilla finally reveals itself, the officials realize that no matter how sophisticated their strategies may seem, the monster’s power and adaptability will always outpace their weapons.
What impressed me most is how carefully each response is mapped out. The Prime Minister, the envoy, and the entire cabinet work step by step, weighing each decision with precision. The film never shies away from its central dilemma: should a country still haunted by the memory of nuclear devastation resort to such weapons against its own cities in order to survive? The questions posed are intelligent, uncomfortable, and hauntingly relevant.
Another striking aspect is how unprepared the government appears in the face of chaos. Godzilla’s destruction is terrifying, but what lingers is the fragility of leadership. One particular scene stands out: the army lines up a perfect strike, but at the last moment, the order is canceled because one civilian is spotted in the blast zone. That hesitation reflects something deeply cultural—the principle that every single life matters, not just the majority.
That being said, Hideaki Anno directs with sharp precision, weaving together spectacle, satire, and political commentary. Shin Godzilla is not just another monster movie; it is a film about how societies react under pressure and how history shapes their choices. On the big screen in 4K, its imagery is sharper, its message more resonant, and its impact undeniable. Nearly a decade later, it stands as one of the boldest reinterpretations of Godzilla, a work that unsettles as much as it astonishes.